these mad windows
chapter 2: shot through the head
Disclaimer: Same old, same old. I am Amy Sherman-Palladino. Oh wait? That's new, isn't it?
A/N: Yes, another update. Yes, it's only been a day. I'm trying to suck you all in. Don't get used to it. Bwa-ha-ha! Thanks to Lee for being my fantabulous beta and to my sister for always giving it to me straight, whether I like it or not. Grr… -Becka
The next morning, Jess awoke to the tinkling melody of 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.' But this wasn't just any rendition; this was possibly the most obnoxious version ever recorded. A smirk formed on Jess's face as he waited. Three, two, o—
"Jesus H. Christ, Mariano," Todd boomed, grabbing the cell phone from beside his head and chucking it in Jess's direction. "I'm seriously gonna fucking kill you."
The phone smacked against the floor, and they both heard a small cracking sound.
Jess sat up. "Did you just break my fucking phone?" he accused, picking it up.
"I fucking hope so, you prick."
Jess stood and made an exaggerated point of examining the phone. "Oh, never mind," he said nonchalantly, tossing it on Todd's mattress. "This one's yours."
Todd jerked up and grabbed the phone. His eyes blazed. "You mother-fucking asshole," he roared, leaping to his feet and rushing towards Jess.
Jess dodged out of the way. "Good to see those anger management classes are doing their job."
"Where the hell do you get off messing with my phone?"
"You never fucking get up," Jess reminded him, over-enunciating each word. "And then you give me shit when you miss work."
Todd looked down at the phone again and tried to turn it on. "You fucking broke it."
"Actually, you broke it," Jess stated as he bent over to retrieve some clothes from the pile on the floor. Todd shoved him from behind, but Jess maintained his balance. He turned to face his roommate, staring up the couple of inches into his eyes. "You want me to fucking kick your ass again?" Jess asked. "I could use the exercise."
Todd backed up slightly. The advantage he had in height was seriously impaired by his physical fitness. "I want you the fuck out of here," he stated.
Jess clenched his jaw. It was about time. They'd met at the messenger office eleven months ago. Todd had needed a roommate; Jess had needed somewhere to stay other than a crappy motel room. It took four months before they hated each other, and for the past seven, Jess had been trying to get Todd to kick him out so the asshole couldn't Judge Judy him for rent unpaid. "You want me to leave?" Jess asked, feigning anger.
"Yeah, I do. I want you to take your fucking shit and your fucking phone and your fucking mama's boy books and get the hell out of my face."
Jess looked up at him and nodded. "Done," he said simply. Without another word, he turned, dug out his duffel bag, and started shoving his belongings into it.
Todd watched him, wide-eyed. "You're leaving?" he asked.
Jess shook his head, smiling slightly. "You kicked me out, moron. Don't act all offended."
"Where are you gonna stay? A fucking youth shelter?"
"What the hell do you care?" Jess asked, moving around to grab some more stuff.
"I don't," Todd lied, throwing his phone onto a mattress. "Actually, I don't fucking care at all." A moment later, the bathroom door slammed shut.
Jess glanced up at the closed door briefly, nodded, and finished packing. Ten minutes later, he was gone, leaving only the key behind.
-
Once outside, he shoved his bag into the backseat of the car and then walked around to get in. Immediately, he leaned over and flicked open the glove compartment, pulling out a sheet of paper. Grabbing his cell phone from his jacket pocket, he dialed. After a brief conversation, he started the car and headed towards his new home.
The landlord was waiting outside when he arrived. She was an older woman, the grandmotherly type, someone who probably shouldn't be managing apartments in a city like New York. But her sweet attitude prevented most people from taking advantage of her. Back when Jess had decided that getting kicked out of Todd's was best for his sanity, he'd also realized he'd need a contingency plan. He certainly couldn't predict when he'd push Todd over the edge. In between courier calls, he'd visited various apartments. Ms. Shafer was the only one willing to hold one for him until the time was right.
She smiled widely at him as he retrieved his bag. "It's about time."
He gave her a knowing look. "You're telling me."
She frowned. "You look like shit." Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker.
He smirked. "Thanks."
"You do," she repeated, unlocking the entrance. "Do you ever sleep?"
Jess didn't answer; he just followed her inside.
-
It was a studio apartment. Nothing fancy. Over the past months, he'd been able to save money, and Luke had helped by sending him some cash whenever he could come up with an appropriate government-sponsored holiday. The first time, around the Fourth of July, Jess had sent it back. Days later, the envelope was among his mail again. Jess sent it back. After three attempts, Jess gave in and kept it. But there were always bills to pay, and with only a courier's wage, it was hard to save much. He'd barely squeak by without a roommate.
"My daughter had an extra couch," Ms. Shafer was explaining. "I thought you could use it. I'm loaning you an inflatable mattress until you can get your own."
Jess looked around the room and then at her. "Thanks," he said hesitantly, knowing he owed this woman big time and not particularly liking that fact.
"Unfortunately, that's all the furniture I could manage, but I'll keep an eye on the neighbor's trash. People throw out some nice things."
"Thanks," he repeated.
She smiled.
He walked over and dropped his bag on the mattress.
"Oh," Ms. Shafer added. "There's also some chicken salad in the fridge."
Jess sighed, wishing she hadn't gone to so much trouble.
Picking up on it, she glanced at him. "Look at me. I'm a tiny thing. I eat like a bird. It would've gone to waste."
He nodded, struggling for something to say. He wasn't good at this. After a beat, he spoke. "I'm good with appliances. If you ever need anythi—"
"I'll remember that," she said, smiling proudly.
He gave her a small smile in return.
"Okay, well, I should let you get settled in. You know where I am if you need me. Here's your key."
He took it, and in a flash, she was gone.
-
He made a few quick calls – to California, Liz, Luke; thankfully, none of them answered. He left his new address on their machines, wanting to give Todd as small a window as possible to mess with his mail. Then, he headed to the main courier office to pick up his paycheck.
"Hey Jess," the secretary greeted him as soon as he walked in the door. He wasn't always the most perceptive when it came to women, but Amy was less than subtle. "You look hot," she commented. Case in point.
He offered no reaction.
"Where'd you get that jacket?" she asked, looking him up and down.
"I stole it off the dead guy down the block."
"Really? It's hot."
He smirked. "Can I get my paycheck?"
She batted her eyelashes and grinned. "What are you willing to do for it?"
"Give the man his paycheck, Amy," Roger ordered from behind her.
She looked past Jess at the taller, black man who'd just walked in the door. "Hey Roger! You look hot."
"So do you," he said mechanically. "Now pay up."
She turned her eyes to Jess. "See, he compliments me. You could learn something from Roger." She handed over his paycheck.
"I'll sign up for classes," Jess replied, slipping it into his back pocket.
"Oh," Amy chirped, passing over Roger's paycheck as well. "Brazer is pissed at you."
"Me?" Roger asked.
"Jess."
"Mr. Reliable? How'd that happen?"
"He broke a sculpture," Amy explained.
"Hey," Jess protested. "I did not break that sculpture!"
She shrugged. "Don't shoot the messenger." Then, realizing what she'd said, she giggled. "Or the secretary."
Roger looked confused. "Huh?"
"You're the messengers, silly. Get it. I'm the secretary."
Jess rolled his eyes and started for the door.
"Wait, Jess, Brazer wanted to see you."
Jess hesitated. Another lecture was the last thing he needed. He glanced at the door to his boss's office, a pained look on his face.
Feeling charitable, Amy grinned. "Go on. Fast. I'll tell him you got a delivery call."
Jess met her eyes and headed out the door.
"But you owe me!" she called after him. "I accept Visa, Mastercard, or a nice screw in the alley."
Jess shook his head and kept walking.
"Did you really just say that?" Roger asked.
She shrugged. "I was kidding."
"Uh-huh."
"Hey, you think I work here for the pay? You boys are hot. A girl's gotta try," she explained. Then, running her gaze up Roger's arm to his face, she smiled, Jess already forgotten. "You need any favors?"
-
Jess drove to a nearby café and finding an empty table, sat down to read until a call came in. As he pulled the paperback book out, his check slid out as well. He opened it and peered inside. Sonofabitch, he muttered. Blazer had withheld 150 from his paycheck to pay for the sculpture. He ran a hand through his hair and glanced around. A part of him wanted to go back to the art gallery and give that receptionist a piece of his mind, but the other part was too tired to bother. He folded the check in half again and returned it to his pocket. Then, he took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair, choosing to read instead.